Welcome to Following the Whispers blog

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit. Hope you enjoy your stay. I blog here whenever I feel the need. This blog was created at the time my memoir came out, in February, 2009. Its motto was: creating a life of inner peace and self-acceptance from the depths of despair. Now, my focus is sharing this journey we call life.

“Only one thing is more frightening than speaking your truth, and that is not speaking it.” Naomi Wolf

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs…(And) if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.” Theodore Roosevelt

Monday, September 16, 2013

One of my favorite bloggers has a new book coming out - our Ninja Captain Alex. Here is all the info you will need to support one of the most supportive people I've ever met.

CassaStorm

By Alex J Cavanaugh

From the Amazon Best Selling Series!

A storm gathers across the galaxy…

Commanding the Cassan base on Tgren, Byron thought he’d put the days of battle behind him. As a galaxy-wide war encroaches upon the desert planet, Byron’s ideal life is threatened and he’s caught between the Tgrens and the Cassans.

After enemy ships attack the desert planet, Byron discovers another battle within his own family. The declaration of war between all ten races triggers nightmares in his son, threatening to destroy the boy’s mind.

Meanwhile the ancient alien ship is transmitting a code that might signal the end of all life in the galaxy. And the mysterious probe that almost destroyed Tgren twenty years ago could return. As his world begins to crumble, Byron suspects a connection. The storm is about to break, and Byron is caught in the middle…

“With a talent for worldbuilding and a compelling cast of characters, Alex J. Cavanaugh combines high powered space battles and the challenges of family dynamics to provide readers a space opera with heart.” - Elizabeth S. Craig, author of the Southern Quilting and Myrtle Clover mysteries

“I thought the revelation was going to be one thing and I was completely wrong … CassaStorm pushes the limits…”- Tyson Mauermann, Speculative Reviews

“…mesmerizing story of survival, personal sacrifice, tolerance, and compassion. It’s a rare jewel that successfully utilizes both character and plot to tell a story of such immense scope and intimate passion…” - Nancy S. Thompson, author of The Mistaken

Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He is experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. The author of the Amazon bestsellers, CassaStar and CassaFire, he lives in the Carolinas with his wife.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

I didn't start traveling until I was 50. My parents couldn't afford to travel anywhere but the Catskills, which is in upstate New York. In my twenties and thirties and forties, I was busy dealing with failed marriages, losing custody of my only child, starting and building a successful PR firm, and trying to become a better person (still on that particular journey).

I met my current hubby when I was 46. We began traveling together almost immediately, mostly road trips to National Parks, trips to Florida to see my folks, and things like that. But when I was going to turn 50 (yikes, 14 years ago), we went to Europe for my first time. It was a dream come true. I'd never thought I would get to travel, let alone go to Rome, Venice and Florence, Stonehenge, and Paris.

We have been many places since then: back to Europe on a six-week adventure that included 11 countries, mostly in Eastern Europe; an Alaskan cruise, Guatemala, a Caribbean cruise, Mexico, well, you get the idea.

This month, we are going to South Africa. We will spend 5 days in Cape Town, then 4 days on Safari at a private game reserve, then 4 days in Victoria Falls. I have always dreamed of going to Africa to see the animals, sadly many of whom are disappearing from the planet. I'm one of those people who cries when driving and I see a dead animal in the road. One of my closest friends is a wildlife biologist who works tirelessly to protect endangered species. When I look into the eyes of an animal, I see a soul.

I know there is a possibility we won't see some of the animals we hope to see, but whatever we do get to see will be such a blessing. So, I can't wait...

Monday, September 9, 2013

As many of you know, I've had a health diagnosis that sort of blind-sided me. It's taken awhile for me to come to terms with it. In other words, to accept this new reality. It means I've gone from someone who, at 64, took no medication whatsoever, to someone who needs meds for both thyroid and heart.
That made me think about where I am at 64 and where I still want to be.

In my memoir, there's a part of my story where I am driving through the Mojave Desert after yet another relationship ended and I am filled with despair and no longer want to go on, not just driving, but living. A voice whispers, "You're not done yet, Karen."

I am hearing that voice again. I am not done, even though I am slowing down. I don't have the stamina I once had. I need more down time than ever before. I've thought about the aging process a lot since I have first-hand experience caring for my aging dad and mother-in-law, until they died. I also having elderly friends I do some caregiving for.

What I've observed is that aging is a lot about coming to terms with reality. The body starts to give out. Things don't function as they used to and eventually stop functioning at all. Some things can keep functioning with medications. Others with procedures. But eventually, there will be nothing that can be done about the malfunctioning parts. We all get to make choices what to do in those cases.

So aging is about accepting limitations. And letting go of who we used to be and what we used to be able to do. I think, if we allow ourselves to, it is an opportunity to become more deeply spiritual human beings, instead of human doers. I am trying to incorporate that awareness into my life now, so that as this aging process continues, I am more and more comfortable with the limitations and losses that will most definitely come.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Today it is time again for the Insecure Writer''s Support Group, the brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh www.alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com. In my opinion, this group is one of the best things that has happened since I started blogging in 2009. Thank you Alex, and all the writers who participate month after month, sharing their angst and their wisdom and strength.

I have a dilemma about how to categorize my manuscript. Not only is it not considered long enough to be a novel, I'm not sure what genre it fits. This makes me feel very insecure. Right now, at draft two stage, it is only 32,700 words. Most novels are a minimum of 50,000. It fits the novella requirements, but novellas are very difficult to market to agents and publishers. I did some research and discovered that Animal Farm, considered a classic novel, was only 29,000 words. So maybe mine can be considered a novel as well. Oy!

All during the several years it's taken to complete this book, I have been afraid of this stage of the journey. I am older than most of you out there who are writing and marketing their books. I don't have the drive and energy and stamina I once had. But I still want my book out there. I want it to be read. I want people to like it.

I think I just need to stop and take this one day, one step at a time. First, I will find an editor who can help me figure out how to classify the book. I don't have to worry about the rest until after that step is done.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

I, along with HUNDREDS of other authors, I am celebrating the launch of an anthology, written and created, by indie authors, FOR indie authors.

Need motivation and inspiration to self-publish or sign that contract with an interested small press? Have you done all the research you can, but still feel ambivalent about the idea? Indiestructible: Inspiring Stories from the Publishing Jungle brings you the experiences of 29 indie authors—their passions, their insights, their successes—to help you make the leap into indie publishing.

This is not a how-to guide. This is the best of the indie tradition of experienced authors paying forward what they’ve learned, giving you information to help you on your journey. The personal essays in this book will leave you itching to get your work into the hands of readers and experience, first-hand, all the rewards indie publishing has to offer.

Not only is this anthology packed full of interesting and unique information, and totally worth the 99c (only 99c!!!), 100% of proceeds will be donated to BUILDON.org, a movement which breaks the cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and low expectations through service and education.

Pretty amazing, huh?

What are you waiting for?

Buy Indiestructible—support the indie author and an amazing charity—TODAY!

"I quote Martha Graham on making dance: "It is not your business to determine how good it is, nor how valuable it is, nor how it compares with other expressions." Graham goes on to write to her friend Agnes DeMille that it is only her business to keep it uniquely hers. She understood that our lives are as individual as snowflakes. That we must, if we are artists -- hell, if we are human beings -- be focused only on the work, and letting go. The work, and letting go."

Dani Shapiro

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“Success is a finished book, a stack of pages each of which is filled with words. If you reach that point, you have won a victory over yourself no less impressive than sailing single-handed around the world.